Byron and Peri hug in front of Zee’s. The waitress walks over after they’ve been seated.
Peri: I’ll have a Neapolitan cone and he’ll have…
Byron: Oh…a root beer float please!
Peri hands the waitress the menu.
Prosperity: Thanks!
Prosperity: So…I’ve been asking everyone about their plans after graduation. Are you looking into any colleges?
Byron: Yes…I’ve applied to Britechester and Foxbury. Moms insist on me getting a degree. What about you?
Prosperity: I’ve been looking into it, but I don’t know if I’m ready. My grades aren’t even that great.
Byron: But you’re the smartest girl I know!
Peri smiles at the compliment…and while it’s true that she’s decently intelligent – her grades don’t reflect it at all.
The waitress brings their orders and walks away.
Byron: If you decide not to go, what do we do?
Prosperity: What do you mean?
Byron: What happens to us? Britechester is a long way away.
Peri never really considered that her decision to possibly skip college would affect her relationship with Byron.
Prosperity: It is, huh?
Byron: Yeah…when would we see each other?
Peri and Byron spend some time thinking about it as they finish their desserts.
Prosperity: Well, I’m not saying that I’ll never go to college… maybe just not right away.
Byron: I’m willing to make it work…no matter what, if you are.
Prosperity: I’m willing.
Byron: Good…can I give you something?
Prosperity: What is it?
Byron and Peri stand up, as he pulls a ring out of his pocket and presents it to her…
Byron: This is a promise ring. No matter what happens…you’ll always be the only one to have my heart.
Peri takes it and places it on her finger.
Prosperity: Awww…you should have one too! Um…hold on one second…
Peri reaches into her pocket, looking for anything that could serve as a promise ring. All she finds is a silly eyeball ring…a party favor from Merit’s birthday party.
Prosperity: Is this okay?
Byron: It’s perfect.
Peri slides it into Byron’s finger.
Prosperity: You’ll always be in my heart too!
Byron: I’ll never take it off.
Byron pays the bill and leaves a tip. Peri starts home on her bike, thinking about the promise that she and Byron have made the whole time.
It’s 11:30 by the time Peri steps into the house. She obviously spent too much time outside lost in her thoughts. The first thing she sees is her father’s disappointed face. Peri gets her excuses ready.
Q starts in…
Quincy: I trusted that when I told you to be home at 11, that you’d be home at 11. This breaks that trust.
Prosperity: But daddy, the date ended at 11 and it took me thirty minutes to get home.
Q is at the end of his patience, but he takes a moment to collect himself before responding.
Quincy:*deep sigh* That means you should have left at 10:30!
Prosperity: I – *realizes that she’s out of excuses*
Quincy: Look Peri, you’re almost an adult, so I’m not gonna fuss or ground you, but I will say this – always doing what you want to do and breaking the rules will seriously backfire on you one day.
Peri cringes at her father’s warning…
Prosperity: Dang, daddy! I think I’d rather you ground me.
Quincy: That’s all I have to say. You can go to bed now.
Peri passes Merit on her way to the stairs. She has to be home by 11, but it’s almost midnight, and Merit is still up eating cake. How is that fair?
Merit: Did you get in trouble?
Prosperity: Not really, but somehow it feels like I’ve just been cursed.
Prosperity walks into her bedroom, rethinking her decision to delay college. She has a scholarship letter that’s been in her pocket for a few days. She wonders if it could serve as a sign. If she’s actually earned a decent scholarship…maybe, she should go to college right away.
Peri opens the letter and sighs as her eyes glance over the measly amount. Sure…her parents have more than enough money to send her to college, but it would have been nice to know that she’s earned a right to be there on her own.
Peri checks her phone and sees that Byron has left her another sweet little message. She types a standard, ‘good night, see you tomorrow message,’ then gets ready for bed wondering if a promise ring is really enough to sustain a long-distance relationship. All she can do is hope that it is.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
